Maya's Point of View
Beatrice – Look, Maya… I'm not proud of what we did to you. But you need to understand that everything I did was to protect you.
Maya – But from what I understood… I could've protected my mother… my father…
Beatrice – We couldn't calculate how much that would hurt you… You might not even be here.
Maya – My father died trying to save innocent people in a war that simply wasn't ours.
Beatrice – Yes, I know. And that's exactly why your mother kept you inside the bunker during the explosions.
Maya – And when my mother was gone? What did you do?
Akuma – We protected you from yourself.
Maya collapses to the floor, a whirlwind of thoughts storming through her mind.
The lights around her begin to explode. The air grows heavy.
Maya – I don't understand… Why am I like this? Why are people always trying to control me?!
What did I ever do to the world?!
Suddenly, Maya finds herself standing before a majestic kingdom. At its center rises a great tree, its streets not entirely made of gold, but radiant nonetheless. She looks toward the kingdom and feels a confusing mixture of emotions.
She sees a happy boy. Around him, people celebrate peace with a grand festival. Everyone is smiling. He holds a scepter in his hand, and upon his head rests a crown of the purest, most dazzling gold ever seen.
The boy approaches Maya and says:
– Come on… let's go. The world has been redeemed. All evil is gone.
His smile is sincere.
In the blink of an eye, Maya is transported to a completely dark kingdom. A thick mist blankets its streets. At the top of the castle looms a massive golden eye.
She sees a boy with an indifferent expression. He holds a scepter, and on his head sits a white crown. He looks at Maya and says:
– I did it. But at what cost? What did they give me in return? My friends… they all left me.
The boy sits upon the throne and lowers his head.
Maya blinks again.
Now she stands in a place that is entirely white—endless, textureless infinity.
In front of her stand nine people dressed in white, all appearing to be about her age.
A girl with a gentle smile and light blue hair approaches.
Beatrice – Maya… I'm sorry for bringing so much misfortune to your doorstep. I thought I was doing what was best for you, but I was wrong.
From behind her, a boy with blood-red curly hair steps forward.
Irwin – We all made mistakes. And we owe you an apology. But we're going to try to do this the right way now.
Maya stands still, trying to process everything she has seen and everything that has happened in her life up to this moment.
Beatrice – This is our redemption.
Maya looks ahead. A massive door stands before her.
Beatrice – If you step through that door, we won't be with you in the same way anymore… You'll have your power back.
Maya – This is all so confusing!!
Irwin – I understand it's hard—
Maya – Why did you imprison my power? What door is this? Where am I?!
She grabs her head, on the verge of losing control.
A girl steps forward.
Tenebra – I said that if we kept pushing her like this, she'd end up this way. Lying was never the best option.
The others gather around Maya.
Jade – I was against it from the beginning.
Beatrice – It was four against four. A tie in favor of suppressing her power.
Tenebra – But you should've calculated the trauma too, genius.
Jade – If it was a tie, then why have I carried this pain for so long? I thought it had been five to four.
Letha – Lysander didn't vote either way.
They all turn.
A boy with short pink hair steps forward. He approaches Maya and places a hand on her shoulder.
Maya lifts her head and looks at Lysander.
Lysander – You're all idiots. But I'm going to fix this.
Beatrice – He's lost his mind.
Lysander looks at Beatrice—and her mouth disappears.
Lysander – I didn't vote because I knew you could keep everything under control until this day.
Letha – NO!
Tenebra – What did you do to Beatrice?!
Lysander – Listen carefully… Today is Day Zero. Today, the one who was born to rule this world will be reborn.
Jade – What are you talking about? Have you completely lost it?
Letha – Don't you see?! He manipulated us like puppets!
Lysander – You know, Letha… I always liked you. Always thought you were the smartest one in the group.
Lysander lifts Maya into his arms and carries her toward the enormous door—crafted entirely of silver with golden details.
Lysander – I was always afraid you'd discover everything and ruin it all.
Tenebra – What are you doing?! This isn't your choice! If you throw her through that door like this, it'll be impossible to calculate the destruction that will begin!
Lysander – Ohhh, shut up… Calculations, calculations, and more calculations… You only had the control I let you believe you had. But now… not anymore. I won't be the one in control.
The door swings open.
Lysander throws Maya to the other side.
The door slams shut.
And as it closes, Lysander says:
– Long live Annora, Queen of the World.
[To be continued…]